Caster



RKEY. STER.

( No Model.)

J. BE

Patented Feb. 5, 1895 W 7 NE 2 J allay NITE STATES CASTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 533,430, dated February5, 1895.

Application filed October 5, 1894. Serial No. 4, 77- No model To allwhom it'may concern.-

Be it known that I, JULIUS BERKEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan,have invented certain new and usef ul Improvements in Casters; and Idohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improvement in casters, and it consistsmore particularly in the peculiar construction and arrangement of theshank, its connections and socket member, whereby the caster may bereadily adjusted to its proper position and quickly re moved therefromwhen necessity demands.

The aim and purpose of the invention is the provision of an improvedcaster which will embody structural simplicity and be provided with akeeper spring, so located that the same may be easily applied and soapplied without cutting or defacing the sides of the shank.

A further object is in providing a caster with ashank to which isattached a keeper spring which latter is constructed to ream out or outa cavity in the socket for the purpose of forming a seat for the spring.

These objects are attained by the construction illustrated in theaccompanying draw ings wherein like letters of reference indica ecorresponding parts in the several views, and in which- Figure 1 is avertical sectional elevation through the socket showing the caster inelevation. Fig. 2 is a detail elevation of the caster shank at rightangles to that shownin Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view ofthe spring. Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line wsaFig. 1. Fig. 5 is avertical section of a modified form of socket.

In the drawings A designates the caster block or foot of wood bypreference. In this block is formed a cylindrical socket B by boring ordrilling an elongated hole therein, in which the shank of the casterdirectly and loosely fits. At the upper end of the socket B, the side.walls thereof are out out to form an annular pocket B having curvedWalls.

0 designates the caster and D the cylindrical shank or pintle, of a sizein cross section to fit in the socket l3 and in length snfiicient toenter the socket to a point adjacent to the base of the annular pocketB.

- In the upper end of the shank D is formed at or near its center ashort longitudinal groove or kerf b in which is placedthe base of asteel or other metal spring E. The keeper spring, as I prefer to termthe spring E, is formed tapering or wedge shape, its lower or larger endbeing inserted in the kerf or groove 17 in the shank. The extreme widthof the base of the spring is slightly less than the diameter of theshank, and the broader portion is located below the end of the shank.While the base of the spring is in that position I indent or force inthe metal of the shank at a point above the base of the kerf and againstthe edge of the spring as shown at e, so that any tendency of the springto work out or up is prevented by its inclined parts striking againstthe indented edge'of the shank. The springis formed insubstantially theshape of a letter S, that is to say, its base or lower end is carriedstraight as at e for a short distance. It is then curved outward beyondthe plane of the sides of the shank and then upward, its pointterminating in a straight or substantially straight section 6 which isnarrow and fits closely against the wall of the annular pocket B. Thecurved section projects over the shoulder and onto the curved base ofthe pocket and serves to retain the shank in the socket and permits itsrevolution therein. By reducing the end 6 a close fit is secured in thepocket and the spring is allowed to project farther beyond the plane ofthe side of the shank than it could were the spring broad or of a widthsubstantially the diameter of the shank. Again, by forming the springwedge-shape, the danger of breaking at the union is greatly lessened. Itwill be observed that the spring when first fitted or inserted into thesocket engages the side walls thereof and is allowed to move laterally,as the space above the shank is wholly unoccupied. The strength of thespring is such as to hold the shank in the socket even when the latteris larger than necessary or when no cavity or pocketis formed in whichthe spring may enage.

a It has been found more or less difficult to form the pockets in thewooden sockets and above.

considerable timeis wasted in so forming the same with the usualappliances. To avoid such objections I construct the spring with cuttingedges 6 which as the spring is forced into the socket will lie at anangle or tangent to the curved wall of the socket, and when the shank isinserted to its proper point it is only necessary to turn the sameseveral times and the spring will, for itself, ream out or cut the wallsof the socket to form the pocket B and the requisite retaining shoulder.This I regard as one of the important features of my.

invention. The peculiar formation of the spring permits an easy pivotalaction of the shank in the socket.

It is to be understood that in some forms of casters the shankis notrequired a pivotal 'action but the caster proper is pivoted to theshank. In such forms the spring E serves to retain the shank in thesocket whether a pocket is formed or not, and by securing the same inthe end of the shank a larger and stronger spring may be employed with abroad base and yet have a free movement laterally without striking theside of the shank or wedging the same between the shank and socket wall.The spring is a separate and independent member secured to the shank andmay'bequickly fittedinto any of the ordinary caster shanks withoutaltering the shank otherwise than forming a recess which is quickly donewith a saw.

In Fig. 5, I have shown a modified form wherein a metallic bushing F isused terminatinga short distance fromthe end of the socket and therebyforming an annular pocket The spring enters the pocket and the curvedportions thereof engage the upper edge of the bushing. It is to beunderstood that one or more springs may be employed if desired, but Ihave found that one will serve the purpose.

By forming the spring as shown and described and securing the same as aseparate independent member directly to the shank the expense ofproduction is slight and the metal bushing or socket may be dispensedwith. By forming the kerf at the center of the shank the broad base ofthe spring is entirely inclosed.

I am aware that minor changes can be made in the constructions hereinshown and described without in the least departing from the nature andprinciple of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what is'ola imed-as new, and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent, is A '1. In a caster, the combinationwith the shank, ofa keeper spring "fixedly secured to the'upper endthereof and extending laterally and longitudinally upward beyond the endof the shank, substantially-as described.

2. In a caster, the combination with the shank, of a curved keeperspring secured thereon, normally projecting laterally beyond the sidesthereof, and provided with a cutting edge to form an annular chamber inthe socket, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof "I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JULIUS BERKEY.

Witnesses:

G. A. PENNI'NGTON, L. S. BACON.

